Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 49,040 complaints — component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
1. Coolant is either leaking or evaporating which makes the coolant reservoir tank lose water that requires many refills after daily use. This led to the car to heat up without any notice in the middle of a busy highway with a narrow shoulder. This causes the car to release white smoke from the back with a chemical stench. A mechanic checked the car by raising it on a car lift for any leaks but th... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2023
When i unlock the key fob and put hand break to park the driver side door makes a loud squeeky sound.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
My suv has paint that is peeling off of the suv that is not due to damage or something external to the paints surface. The color is pearl white and has been documented by many owners of cars Kia's with the pearl white paint color. The location on the passenger side a pillar is also a common starting point for this paint issue.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
The hood does not seem secure while driving 55mph or above.
Incident date: Jan 26, 2024
Per the existing recall on my vehicle, the driver’s side door handle has failed. It will unlatch at random times (including when driving at speeds between 1-20 mph), it will not unlatch when attempting to get into the vehicle, and the sensors have started to fail causing the car to believe the door is open when it isn’t which has caused the car to do an emergency stop on several occasions whil... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
I OWN A 2020 FORD ESCAPE. The Driver's Front Door started making a loud popping sound when opened and then it wouldn't close all of the way. It was hard to close but finally did. It kept making the popping noise louder every time it was opened and shut. Then, the Driver's Front Window failed to go down more than an inch and a half to two inches. It wouldn't roll up every time it was rolled down th... Read more
MAZDA
CX-90 PLUG-IN HYBRID
(2024) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 26, 2024
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
I used to have a 2021 performance y (the 2021 had none of these issues), and purchased a 2023 in early October. My current milage is 2,783. A few weeks into owning this car I could feel something hitting the cabin floor in varying situations. Initially I thought it was a road debris, but it was only at lower speeds. I should only be able to hear road debris and not feel it in the floor. I have com... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2023
POWER LIFT GATE AND POWER SLIDING MINIVAN DOOR DO NOT WORK LEAK IN BODY CAUSED ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CORROSON OF LIFTGATE POWER CONTROL UNIT. BAD DESIGN SAFETY ISSUE. DANGER OF CHILD ENTRAPMENT. SHOULD BE RECALL AND HONDA SHOULD FIX
Incident date: Dec 30, 2023
My vehicle has never been in an accident. I have pictures showing a wide gap on the side of the back window on the hatchback. Lots of water gets into the back of the jeep. The water burned out some wiring that has caused issues with my jeep. It’s a 1200 dollar job, dealer states the water is getting in due to the design of the vehicle.
Incident date: Aug 2, 2023
Our unit was recalled previously under recall 22V273000 for the slide creeping out. The RV was supposedly repaired prior to leaving the factory. However, over the summer it began to creep out dangerously while driving. Again it was sent in for repairs and "fixed" Again the slide is moving out 5 or so inches while parked and when driving down the road. I am not sure how far out it would exte... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2024
When driving at low speed, every uneven thing in the road surface creates a low resonating frequency sound (deep base) through out the cabin.
Incident date: Dec 26, 2023
The seal around the panoramic sunroof is faulty. It allows for water intrusion down the inner lining of the "A" frame. Water is filling up along the floorboard. The wiring harness is exposed to water. I've spoken with numerous dealership and they state this is a known problem; caused by backup of the drainage system; however I've own the vehicle for several years and the problem never existed u... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
The 2014 Silverado I own the frame is rusting through already! Only 168,000 miles and cleaned and maintained very regularly and the frame is rusted so badly its almost scary to continue driving! My 97 Silverado the frame is still solid as can be with almost 400,000 miles on it and my 10 year old truck with half the miles the frame is shot already? Unacceptable!!
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
Side view mirrors vibrate to the point of distortion making it harder to see vehicles. The problem is in the pedestal mount attached the doors which act like a tuning fork and need to be updated to wider base pedestals to mitigate vibration like other vehicles that have door mounted mirrors. Please help its very dangerous.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
While driving down the highway at less than 60 mph the rear drivers side window spontaneously exploded. There was no one next to me at the time. Nothing hit the window. It exploded and most of the glass blew out of the car onto the highway. I have video of the incident but can't upload that.
Incident date: Jul 4, 2023
I REPORTED A PROBLEM 1/23/24 CONCERNING THE TRIM BLOWING OFF BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THE COWLING WHERE THE WIPERS ARE ATTACHED SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO, THIS PIECE IS FALLING APART AND WHEN DRIVING THE WIND GETS UNDER THE TRIM PIECES CAUSING IT TO BLOW OFF.
Incident date: Nov 21, 2023
Like many others, the spot welds gave way on my drivers door. It affects window operation and the door sounds terrible when opening and closing. I called ford and they told me to have the concern verified at my next service visit. They need to issue a recall for this ASAP.
MACK
GRANITE (GR)
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 25, 2024
Incident date: Jun 28, 2021
The paint has begun peeling off the roof of our vehicle after only 45,000 miles and 3 and a half years of ownership. There is no external damage to the vehicle and the paint job is clearly defective. We were given the runaround by our local dealer until the warranty period expired and now are being told it is our responsibility to fix.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
my driver side door hinge randomly began making snapping noises and then the door no longer functioned properly. There are times when I cannot close my door fully so I must drive with the door partially opened. The issue also affects the window. I cannot roll my window down.
Incident date: Jan 25, 2024
My 2009 Santa Fe's paint is peeling in large portions. It started on the driver's side door right below the window and has continued to crack and bubble all the way down the door. There has been no safety issues as of yet, but it will be a safety issue if I am driving and pieces or chunks of the paint fly off. If pieces or chunks fly off and land on my or another driver's windshield and blocks the... Read more
Incident date: Jan 6, 2024
Ford Escape’s Door Hinges are Defective: Our 2020 Ford Escape driver door hinges had to be repaired by a non-Ford dealer body shop as the car was out of warranty. The Columbus, Georgia Ford dealer diagnosed the problem as being defective door hinges but they do not do body work. The door's rivets popped out and the hinges made grinding and popping sounds when opened or closed. There were no wa... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
The passenger door start making a creaking/popping sound. Within the last week, it started to get louder and louder because the spot weld around the door check arm had completely broken. I took it to the dealership I purchased it from and ford denied assistance with my issue. They recommended I pay a body shop to fix it.
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
The windshield makes a loud cracking sound (for the last 4 months- this is how ong ive owned it) and a few weeks ago, the sound happened and the window cracked from the frame toward the center (about 7").
Incident date: Dec 20, 2023
There's an active recall for the doors on this car with guidance not to bring it in due to lack of parts to fix the vehicle. On 1/11/24 I was driving this car, on a major interstate, heard clicking noises, and the door decided to open on its on while the car was in motion. I was able to pull over and shut the door. On 1/12/24, the door decided to open on it's own again and make very loud clicki... Read more
Incident date: Jan 18, 2024
Consumer complaint: Repeated failed batteries (3), alternators (3), Start button (1) and left stranded multiple times due to no start. Problem: Honda Odyssey keyless entry computer board not fully sealed. This allows dendridic growth of corrosion on the board. This causes a short that endlessly sets the vehicle ignition into "Run" position. Eventually this shorts the alternator and drains battery.... Read more
Incident date: Nov 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost forward propulsion. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle for a short distance and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the co... Read more
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Shark fin antenna flew off the car. Plastic piece only, the rest of the component is attached and exposed. At a visit with the local Ford Dealership I had requested a repair to a current recall on the vehicle and to inspection the antenna. Upon their inspection they state they do not need to perform work on the recalled problem and that the shark fin would be $590 for the piece that detached alth... Read more
Incident date: Jan 14, 2024
I was driving down the interstate and heard a tapping/clicking sound from the right side of my windshield that got progressively worse. Before I could stop at the next exit to examine the cause, I noticed an object falling to the ground in my rearview mirror just as the noise stopped. After exiting and looking at the area where the noise was coming from, I noticed a trim piece missing. I later ide... Read more
Incident date: May 6, 2023
Issue occurred and came to like during the past winter snow storm. The hood of the SUV does not allow and blocks the wiper blade arm from being lifted in order to clean ice off the wiper blade nor can the wiper arm be lifted to clear ice and snow under the wiper arm to allow proper operation. This design flaw does not allow safe and clear sight function of the windshield wipers.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
Was driving on the high way and the B pillar trim detached and was hanging by the wire. No damage was done to this area prior and appears the adhesive gave out. Due to incident back lift gate is inoperable and displays as open.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 24, 2024
Incident date: Jan 15, 2024
I have a Ford F-150 Supercab. When tried to leave to pick up my daughter during a snow storm (temperature was around 26 degrees), I found that I could not close the passenger door. I thought the latch may have sprung shut but found it to be opened but would not close around the "D" link of the back passenger door (it would rotate but not lock into place). I had to get someone else to pick her u... Read more
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
Rear right side Subframe rusted and broke off. Vehicle pulled to the right while braking.
VOLKSWAGEN
TOUAREG
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 24, 2024
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Rear driver door does not open. The door has not been damaged but just stopped opening. It’s a safety issue because if something was to happen they could be stuck in the car.
Incident date: Dec 15, 2023
Door hinge on 2020 Ford Escape has failed. The window no longer works, the door is difficult to open and close, sometimes it will not open or close. It makes a loud popping noise when opened or closed.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2024
On the exterior this car has a plastic A-pillar cover on both sides of the windshield, i already had one fly off on expressway ( luckily didnt hit anyone or cause an accident) i replaced the one, but now the other side is coming loose as well, not sure if its a defect in the clips or the design , but the dealer doesnt acknowledge this to be a problem, there happily charging 600.00 to replace each ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
While I was driving I heard an extremely loud noise (like fireworks). I slightly opened the sun roof cover and saw shards of glass. I pulled over to inspect further and realized that my sun roof glass had exploded! I saw no signs of anything (particularly rocks) that may have caused it. I called the dealer, and they had me bring it in. They have ordered a new sunroof, and gave me a loaner car... Read more
Incident date: Jan 24, 2024
ON [XXX] I NOTICED MY WIFES FRONT DRIVER DOOR HINGE WAS MAKING NOISE. AT THAT TIME I LUBED THE DOOR HINGES. NOISE STILL PRESENT DOOR HARD TO CLOSE. OPENED AND CLOSED DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES TO MAKE SURE DOOR WOULD CLOSE AND LATCH. ON [XXX] MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE AM. UPON ARRIVING HOME SHE INFORMED ME THAT THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I OPENED THE DOOR AND PUT THE WINDOW DOWN... Read more
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2017) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 24, 2024
Incident date: Jan 13, 2024
I woke up MLK day to find that my side left mirror had cracked, from top to the middle of the mirror, just a straight line. There was no damage to the rest of the car, no indication of anything hitting the mirror, just a clean crack, eventually the crack when through the whole mirror. I then reported to my honda dealership who then told me the side mirror is on back order which is causing a safet... Read more
Incident date: Jul 20, 2023
Both rail roof luggage racks on roof are loose. Flap at high speeds. Ford advises it's not covered.
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
I OWNED MY 2015 OPTIMA SLX SINCE THEY HAVE IT REPLACED MY ENGINE IN KEARNY MESA DEALERSHIP I PAID OUT OF POCKET FROM REPAIRS LABORS THERE IS A DEFECTS ON DOOR PANELS AIRBAGS ELECTRICL WIRING HARNESS NEVER RECEIVED ANY CLAIM COMPENSATION SETTLEMENT FROM THOSE CLAIM ACCIDENTS THAT IAM NOT AT FAULT FOR IT IS UNLAWFUL UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNFAIR I DESERVE A RESTORATION OF MY PERSONAL VEHICLE I OWNED IT I... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 17, 2024
Frame and suspension is rotted away badly was recall on frame In 2005
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
We were driving down [XXX] between Houston and San Antonio on [XXX], when we heard a loud noise but felt nothing. When we were ready to leave our destination, the front-driver's side windshield panel was gone. It had blown off going down the road. There was no warning that the panel was loose nor any warning that it was gone. We could have been seriously hurt or killed if the part had come th... Read more
FOREST RIVER
VENGEANCE
(2020) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 23, 2024
Incident date: Nov 19, 2023
The side mirrors, especially the driver-side mirror, have considerable distortion and appear to be defective. The car was returned and the driver-side mirror was replaced, but the problem is still there. It seems to be a manufacturer defect and a recall should be investigated. Unable to see and/or focus clearly with the side mirrors.
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2019) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 23, 2024
Incident date: Jan 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 50–55 MPH, the fiberboard cover and fiber shield detached from underneath the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to reattach the fiber shield and cover. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 30,... Read more
Incident date: Jan 19, 2024
The rear tail gate will not latch. In cold weather the rear gate has exhibited problems latching. The tailgate motor fails to open or close and the latch remains released. The latch is well greased and moves. You can hear the latch motor run, however the tailgate does not latch shut. There is no D-Ring or pull to tie a rope. No handles with a through hole to tie the tailgate closed to protect anim... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2023
My truck sat for a while I charged the Batt. I drove to the landfill in Tehachapi Ca. It ran fine. I unloaded the trash the engine idled for 30+min. The landfill had debris on the ground. The truck ran fine back to town. I had 3/4 fuel. I decided to fill up at the Loves gas station I filled it all the way 2 clicks I think. I started up the truck after fueling it ran terribly I had a flashing chec... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 23, 2023
I was driving on the freeway. We were having a windstorm. A strong guest of wind tore off the passenger side windshield trim piece.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The passenger camera mount is falling out of these trucks on the highway ( multiple incidence’s from owners posts). Toyota corporate is down playing the occurrences and and saying repair is not covered due to cosmetics. It’s a safety feature and Toyota corporate closed my case
Incident date: Jan 10, 2024
Drivers side inside door welds have broken loose at catch arm attachment. Related to Ford TSB SSM 50150. Car bought used 1/6/2024 but previously used as a rental in another state. Car has approximately 64,500 miles. Door failure occurred 1/19/2024. Bought from out of town dealer and inspected by local Ford dealer who verified issue. No prior signs leading up to the failure. Neither dealer agrees ... Read more
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF R
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 23, 2024
Incident date: Dec 18, 2023
The driver side door began making loud creaking sounds and would not close properly. The power window would not go down all the way. I was terrified that the door would come open when I was driving and it did once! The Ford dealer said it is a known issue with faulty welding, but there is no recall. I had to pay $1,250 for the repair and I was without my vehicle for a week!